Monday, May 26, 2014

Many U.S. holidays have become associated with long weekends, sales, and parties. This is not necessarily a bad thing—in the case of Memorial Day, for instance. Men and women died fighting to keep the USA going. As well as remembering the dead, we’re celebrating what they fought for, and the commercialism is part of who we are, warts & all.

However, the holiday commenced, originally not as an excuse for sales or barbecues or the date after which white shoes may be donned. It started out as Decoration Day, a day of remembrance for the Civil War dead.

In 1920, when this poem was published, the Civil War was vividly within people’s direct experience as well as their memories. The poetry in the book is of its time, and bound to be sentimental and sad, not so appealing to the ironic 21st century sensibility.

3
comments:

Thank you. Although I have not yet reached 'real' old age I can still remember this day being called 'Decoration Day.' I am sorry our schools have stopped teaching our history and that our children really know nothing about the Civil War...thank heaven for Ken Burns and bloggers!

Thank you for posting this, and a big THANK YOU to all the men and women who have served this country.

I have to comment on that last poster, too. I don't know where she or he lives but here in CT children are definitely being taught American History and about the Civil War. True it's not the "same old" history that used to be taught in the 60s and 70s, all old-man generals and so-called glorious battles. Now my kids are learning how the Civil War affected ALL Americans, rich and poor, black and white, young and old, men and women. It's not just white male history any more, no matter what certain political extremists claim. American history was made by a LOT of different people and it's time they had a voice too!

Now going to our town's parade which is nearly 100 years old tradition and bigger and better each year. We Never Forget!

Share This

A Polite Explanation

There’s a big difference in how we use history. But we’re equally nuts about it. To us, the everyday details of life in the past are things to talk about, ponder, make fun of -- much in the way normal people talk about their favorite reality show.

We talk about who’s wearing what and who’s sleeping with whom. We try to sort out rumor or myth from fact. We thought there must be at least three other people out there who think history’s fascinating and fun, too. This blog is for them.